California Ratepayer Funded Energy Efficiency

California Ratepayer Funded Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency for low-income customers (generally called the Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program or LIEE) became a statutory requirement in 1990 with the passage of SB 845, (now Pub. Util. Code 2790) which was amended by AB 1393, effective January 1, 2000. In October 2005, LIEE income eligibility level was expanded to 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Measures include repair and replacement of gas and electric heating and water heating systems, air conditioners and evaporative coolers, refrigerator and lighting upgrades, weatherization and energy efficiency education. Significant expansion occurred in 2008, broadening the scope of LIEE and increasing its funding. The four largest utilities spent about $250 million during 2010, providing over 387,000 households with at least one efficiency measure. See electric utility restructuring legislation.

Note: Leveraging reports do not always give a complete statewide picture. Some resources are not reported through leveraging or are under reported.

LEVERAGING

2010: $41.2 million
2009: $26.4 million
2007: $45.2 million
2006: $40.4 million
2005: $34.3 million
2004: $32 million
2003: $30.8 million
2002: $23.3 million
2001: $10.8 million

LEGISLATIVE CODE

California Public Utilities Code, sec. 2790